Vanda Orchid

Location

Orchid Room

Back to Orchid Room

Vanda Orchid

​Vanda spp.

• ​Common name: Vanda (it is abbreviated in the horticultural trade as V.)
  
• Scientific name: Vanda spp.
  
• Family name: Orchidaceae
  
• Origin: East and Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and some West Pacific islands.
  
• Height: Most species are between 6 and 10 inches tall
  
• Width: Variable – may form clumps
  
• Growth: Moderate
  
• Zone: USDA Zones 10 through 11
  
• Light needs: Bright, indirect light
  
• Salt tolerance: Low
  
• Soil/pH/Texture: Most Vanda species are epiphytic, preferring to grow on tree branches and trunks rather than in soil. For these species, a bark-based orchid medium is best for container planting. A few species may prefer to grow on rocks or directly in the ground.
  
• Moisture: Moderate to high water needs. Air humidity of 80 percent or higher is ideal.
  
• Drought tolerance: Low
  
• Pests/Diseases: Susceptible to rot and fungal infections such as fusarium wilt. These infections are often caused by poor drainage.
  
• Growing conditions: Vanda orchids have specific growing requirements. There are three types of Vandas: strap-leaved, terete, and semi-terete. Terete species can be grown in full sun, while semi-terete and strap-leaved Vandas need less direct light. When in doubt, it is usually safe to place a Vanda orchid in an area with bright, indirect light, such as next to a south-facing window. Good drainage is important for Vandas being grown in containers. Although these orchids need regular watering, the roots should be allowed to completely dry between waterings. These plants are often grown without medium in a wooden slat basket to ensure that the roots don’t get too wet. These plants also require high temperatures between 75 and 95 °F during the day and between 60 and 70 °F at night. Vandas should be fertilized regularly with an orchid fertilizer mix.
  
• Characteristics: Although characteristics vary from species to species, all Vanda orchids have several traits in common. Most are epiphytic, growing bare rooted on tree branches. A few species are lithophytic (growing on rocks) and a few are terrestrial (growing in the ground). Roots are thick and tubular, providing the orchid with support, and contain pneumatodes, small structures that allow gas exchange. The three varieties of Vanda orchids can be distinguished by their leaf shape: strap-leaved Vandas have broad, flat leaves, terete Vandas have thinner, pencil-like leaves, and semi-terete is a hybrid between the previous two and has intermediate leaf characteristics. All three varieties have thick, leathery leaves regardless of shape. Flowers grow on long inflorescences. The number and color of flowers varies among species, with some varieties having brown, yellow, white, green, red, or orange flowers.
  
• Propagation: By stem division.
  
• Wildlife: In the wild, Vanda species are pollinated by hawkmoths.
  
• Designer considerations: They are commonly grown as houseplants due to their specific cultivation requirements. When grown in hanging baskets, they add a tropical ambience to living rooms, porches, and balconies. In warmer climates, they can be grown outdoors on tree branches to add color and texture interest.